JP2006317424A - Method and apparatus for measuring birefringence of optical fiber, method of measuring polarization mode dispersion of the optical fiber, and the optical fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and an apparatus for measuring birefringence and PMD of an optical fiber with relatively small PMD in a free state correctly in a short time. <P>SOLUTION: The method of measuring the birefringence of the optical fiber includes steps of acquiring a Jones matrix R(z) in first back-and-forth sections (0, z) between a measurement start point 0 and a predetermined position z on the optical fiber to be measured and a Jones matrix R(z+Δz) in second back-and-forth sections (0, z+Δz) between the measurement start point and a position z+Δz different from the position z, calculating eigen values ρ<SB>1</SB>, ρ<SB>2</SB>of a matrix R(z+Δz)R(z)<SP>-1</SP>, and obtaining the birefringence in a micro section Δz by calculation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a birefringence measuring method and measuring apparatus for an optical fiber, a polarization mode dispersion measuring method for an optical fiber, and an optical fiber. The birefringence and polarization mode dispersion of an optical fiber are accurately and easily measured along the longitudinal direction. It relates to technology.

  In recent years, as the transmission speed of optical communication is increased and the transmission distance is increased, the transmission path is required to reduce polarization mode dispersion (hereinafter referred to as PMD). PMD is mode dispersion caused by a difference in group velocity between two orthogonal intrinsic polarization components propagating in an optical fiber (see Patent Documents 1 and 2 and Non-Patent Documents 1 to 5).

  There are two parameters that determine PMD. One is the magnitude of the birefringence of the optical fiber, and the other is the magnitude of the polarization mode coupling that indicates how the direction of the birefringence axis of the optical fiber changes in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber. It is.

  Specific factors that determine the PMD of an optical cable that is a transmission line include factors caused by the inside of the optical fiber, such as the non-circularity of the core shape of the optical fiber and the asymmetry of stress generated in the core, and the optical cable forming process. There are factors resulting from the optical cable forming process, such as stress asymmetry due to the bending of the optical fiber. Therefore, in order to prevent the deterioration of the PMD of the optical cable caused by the inside of the optical fiber, it is preferable to measure the PMD caused by the factor inside the optical fiber before removing the optical cable and remove the optical fiber having a poor PMD.

  The optical fiber is usually transported to the optical cable forming process in a state of being wound around the bobbin, but the optical fiber in the state of being wound around the bobbin is wound around the bobbin, and birefringence occurs due to bending or side pressure. Polarization mode coupling is induced when optical fibers touch each other or a large twist is applied during winding. Therefore, the PMD of the optical fiber wound around the bobbin does not coincide with the PMD caused by factors inside the optical fiber.

  Therefore, in order to measure PMD caused by factors inside the optical fiber, the optical fiber is opened from the bobbin, wound with a diameter of about 20 cm to 100 cm, and submerged in a liquid having a specific gravity close to that of the optical fiber. The PMD is measured by canceling the birefringence generated by the side pressure or small bending or the polarization mode coupling caused by the contact between the optical fibers. This PMD measurement is described in Non-Patent Document 5, for example.

As described in Non-Patent Document 4, PMD has statistical properties, and therefore measurement involves uncertainty. In order to reduce the uncertainty, there are methods such as increasing the total PMD of the optical fiber to be measured, expanding the wavelength to be measured, adding perturbation to the optical fiber for each measurement, and measuring multiple times.
International Publication WO 2004/010098 Pamphlet International Publication WO 2004/045113 Pamphlet E. Chausse, N. Gisin, Ch. Zimmer, “POTDR, depolarization and detection of sections with large PMD”, OFMC'95 Tatsuta Tatsuo, "Applied Optics 2", pp.197-200, Baifukan RC Jones, “A new calculus for the treatment of optical systems VI. Experimental determination of the matrix”, JOSA, Vol.37, pp.110-112, 1947 N. Gisin, “How accurately can one measure a statistical quantity like polarization-mode dispersion”, PTL, Vol. 8, No. 12, pp.1671-1673, Dec. 1996 BL Heffner, “Automated measurement of polarization mode dispersion using Jones matrix eigenanalysis”, IEEE Photonics Tech. Lett. Vol.4, No.9, Sep. 1992

However, the conventional PMD measurement method has the following problems.
In order to increase the total PMD of the optical fiber to be measured, when the PMD of the optical fiber to be measured is small, the total length of the optical fiber to be measured must be increased, but this was used for measuring PMD in a free state. Since the optical fiber cannot be used again as a product, this method requires a long optical fiber for each measurement and is wasteful. In addition, the method of extending the wavelength to be measured is limited because it is limited by the oscillation wavelength of the light source. In addition, the method of measuring multiple times takes time and is inefficient.

  Next, another conventional technique and its problems will be described. Since PMD varies greatly depending on the optical fiber base material and spinning conditions, normally, optical fibers manufactured under the same conditions show almost the same PMD value, but PMD partially deteriorates due to sudden causes. It is preferable that it can be measured in the longitudinal direction.

  Conventional methods for measuring birefringence and PMD in the longitudinal direction include the methods described in Patent Documents 1 and 2. These methods measure birefringence and PMD based on the magnitude of OTDR waveform variation observed when a polarizer is placed between the OTDR and the optical fiber to be measured. However, there are several problems with these measurement methods.

  First, the conventional method has a problem that the measurement cannot be performed accurately because the amplitude of the waveform differs depending on the relationship between the incident polarization state and the birefringence axis angle of the optical fiber. For example, when the incident polarized light is linearly polarized light, the amplitude becomes maximum when the direction of the linearly polarized light and the birefringence axis form an angle of 45 degrees, but the amplitude becomes 0 when they coincide with each other. This problem seriously affects the measurement results of polarization mode dispersion by the conventional method.

  In the conventional method, the variation from the least square approximation line is used as an index of the variation of the OTDR waveform. For this purpose, it is necessary to average the variation over a certain range, and a high resolution is obtained. It is impossible in principle to obtain.

  Furthermore, the conventional method is characterized by a simple configuration by using a general-purpose OTDR. However, since the light source of the general-purpose OTDR has a wide spectrum width of 5 nm to 20 nm, once passing through a point where the PMD is large, The phenomenon that the polarization state in the pulse varies depending on the wavelength occurs, and the amplitude is averaged and becomes smaller, so that it is impossible to measure PMD after that (see Non-Patent Document 1). )

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for accurately measuring the birefringence and PMD of a short optical fiber in a short time, in which the PMD in a free state is relatively small.
In addition, the present invention accurately measures the longitudinal birefringence and PMD in an optical fiber free state with an arbitrary resolution, and even if a point with a large PMD exists in the middle, the subsequent measurement results It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus that do not affect the operation.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is based on the reciprocating Jones matrix R (z) in the first section (0, z) from the measurement starting point 0 to the predetermined position z in the optical fiber to be measured and the measurement starting point 0. A reciprocal Jones matrix R (z + Δz) in the second section (0, z + Δz) to a position z + Δz different from the position z is acquired, and the eigenvalues ρ ₁ , ρ _{2 of the} matrix R (z + Δz) R (z) ⁻¹ are obtained. And the following equations (1) and (2)

(In the formula, φ represents a phase difference between orthogonally polarized light due to birefringence, Δn represents birefringence, and λ represents a wavelength.)
A birefringence measurement method for an optical fiber, characterized in that birefringence in a minute section Δz from the position z to the position z + Δz is obtained by the above calculation.

  In the method for measuring birefringence of an optical fiber according to the present invention, it is preferable to use a polarization OTDR to obtain a reciprocating Jones matrix of the optical fiber to be measured.

  The present invention also includes at least timing control means, pulse light generation means controlled by the timing control means, polarization conversion means for converting the polarization state of pulse light from the pulse light generation means, and polarization conversion means. The light beam is incident on one end of the optical fiber to be measured and emits backscattered light returning to one end of the optical fiber to be measured, and the optical circuit unit controlled by the timing control unit Polarization detecting means for detecting the polarization state of the light emitted from the light as time series, and analyzing means for measuring the birefringence of the optical fiber to be measured using the birefringence measuring method based on the output of the polarization detecting means. An apparatus for measuring a birefringence of an optical fiber is provided.

  Further, the present invention relates to the relationship between the birefringence of the optical fiber to be measured in a free state and the polarization mode dispersion of the optical fiber to be measured in a free state, measured using the method for measuring the birefringence of the optical fiber. And a polarization mode dispersion measuring method for an optical fiber characterized by measuring polarization mode dispersion of an optical fiber under measurement in a free state.

  In addition, the present invention takes out a part of the optical fiber wound around the bobbin, measures the polarization mode dispersion using the polarization mode dispersion measuring method of the optical fiber, and then sends the measured value to the bobbin. A method for measuring polarization mode dispersion of an optical fiber, characterized in that polarization mode dispersion is obtained when the entire optical fiber is placed in a free state.

  Further, the present invention relates to the relationship between the birefringence of the optical fiber to be measured in a free state and the polarization mode dispersion of the optical fiber to be measured in a free state, measured using the method for measuring the birefringence of the optical fiber. And a polarization mode dispersion measuring method of an optical fiber characterized by measuring polarization mode dispersion of an optical fiber to be measured in a free state while being wound around a bobbin.

  The present invention also provides the birefringence of the optical fiber to be measured in a state of being wound around a bobbin and the polarization mode dispersion of the optical fiber to be measured in a free state, measured using the method for measuring the birefringence of the optical fiber. Thus, a polarization mode dispersion measuring method for an optical fiber is provided which measures the polarization mode dispersion of an optical fiber under measurement in a free state while being wound around a bobbin.

  In the polarization mode dispersion measurement method, it is preferable that the amount of twist applied to the optical fiber to be measured is 1 rad / m or less while being wound around the bobbin.

  In the polarization mode dispersion measurement method, measuring the birefringence of the portion where the influence of the winding tension on the bobbin or the side pressure by the wound optical fiber itself is small, and the representative value of the birefringence of the measured optical fiber, It is preferable to set the polarization mode dispersion of the optical fiber when the entire optical fiber wound around the bobbin is placed in a free state.

  In the polarization mode dispersion measurement method, a buffer material is disposed at a position where the bobbin that winds up the optical fiber to be measured contacts the optical fiber, reducing the lateral pressure on the optical fiber, and expanding and contracting the bobbin due to a temperature change in the measurement environment. It is preferable to eliminate the influence of polarization state fluctuation during measurement.

  In the polarization mode dispersion measurement method, the tension on the optical fiber is temporarily relaxed, and then the birefringence of the optical fiber to be measured is measured while being wound around the bobbin. It is preferable to measure the wave mode dispersion.

  The present invention also provides an optical fiber characterized in that the polarization mode dispersion measured by the method for measuring polarization mode dispersion of the optical fiber is 0.1 ps / √km or less.

  In the optical fiber, it is preferable that the amount of twist applied to the optical fiber is 1 rad / m or less while being wound around the bobbin.

  In the optical fiber, the measured polarization mode dispersion value or its upper limit value is preferably displayed.

According to the present invention, the reciprocating Jones matrix R (z) of the first section (0, z) from the measurement starting point 0 to the predetermined position z in the optical fiber to be measured and the measurement starting point 0 to the position z are A round-trip Jones matrix R (z + Δz) of the second section (0, z + Δz) to a different position z + Δz is acquired, eigenvalues ρ ₁ and ρ ₂ of the matrix R (z + Δz) R (z) ⁻¹ are obtained, and calculation is performed. Since the optical fiber PMD is obtained from the birefringence of the optical fiber obtained because the birefringence of the minute section Δz is obtained, the PMD in a free state is relatively small, and the birefringence and PMD of the short optical fiber are relatively small. It is possible to provide a method and an apparatus for accurately measuring the temperature in a short time.
In addition, the present invention accurately measures the longitudinal birefringence and PMD in an optical fiber free state with an arbitrary resolution, and even if a point with a large PMD exists in the middle, the subsequent measurement results It is possible to provide a method and an apparatus that do not affect the method.
In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to estimate the PMD of an optical fiber that is in a free state with respect to an optical fiber that is wound around a bobbin or is wound around a bobbin and is temporarily loosened in tension.

First, a method for measuring the birefringence of an optical fiber according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a measurement section in a method for measuring birefringence of an optical fiber according to the present invention. In the birefringence measuring method of the present invention, a first section (0, z) from the measurement starting point 0 to a predetermined position z in the optical fiber to be measured is set, and a position z + Δz different from the measurement starting point 0 to the position z. Is defined as a second interval (0, z + Δz), and a portion from the position z to the position z + Δz (a difference between the first interval and the second interval) is defined as a minute interval Δz.
The Jones matrix of the one-way to the first section (0, z) and J _1, the Jones matrix of the one-way small sections Δz and J _2, the round-trip Jones matrix of the first section (0, z) R (Z), the following equation (3)

There is a relationship. Here, considering a matrix of R (z + Δz) R (z) ⁻¹ , the following equation (4)

It becomes. In an optical fiber in a free state or an optical fiber in an optical cable, the change in the birefringence axis of the optical fiber and the twist applied to the optical fiber are gradual, so the minute section Δz has only linear birefringence. In addition, it can be considered that the angle of the birefringence axis is also constant. Then, the one-way Jones matrix J ₂ in the minute section Δz has the following equation (5), where θ is the angle of the fast axis of birefringence and φ is the phase difference between orthogonally polarized light due to birefringence:

(Wherein (in 5), P ₂ represents respectively matrix, Q ₂ is a diagonal matrix of the eigenvalues of the matrix J ₂ as diagonal component eigenvectors of the matrix J ₂ with component.)
Therefore, the following formula (6)

It is. In that case, the following equation (7)

It is.
On the other hand, when R (z + Δz) R (z) ⁻¹ is diagonalized, the following equation (8)

(9)

Is established. Therefore, the diagonal matrix Q ′ obtained by diagonalizing the matrix R (z + Δz) R (z) ⁻¹ is the diagonal matrix Q obtained by diagonalizing the Jones matrix J ₂ of the minute section (z, z + Δz). it can be seen that _two of the square. That is, the following equation (10)

It is. Since the diagonal component of Q ′ is an eigenvalue of R (z + Δz) R (z) ⁻¹ , two eigenvalues ρ ₁ and ρ ₂ of R (z + Δz) R (z) ⁻¹ are expressed by the following equation (11):

Then, the following equations (12), (13)

Thus, birefringence in an arbitrary minute section Δz, that is, birefringence in the longitudinal direction can be measured.

  The birefringence can be measured with an arbitrary resolution by averaging the birefringence values thus measured according to the required resolution.

  In addition, in the calculation of the birefringence by the birefringence measurement method of the present invention, there is no restriction on the Jones matrix in the first section (0, z), so the Jones matrix in the first section (0, z). No matter what kind of property, it will not affect the measurement.

Next, an embodiment of an optical fiber birefringence measuring apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the birefringence measuring apparatus of the present invention. The birefringence measuring apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a timing control unit 11, a pulsed light generation unit 12 controlled by the timing control unit 11, and a polarization that converts the polarization state of the pulsed light from the pulsed light generation unit 12. A conversion unit 13; a light circulating unit 14 for causing the pulsed light from the polarization conversion unit 13 to be incident on one end of the optical fiber to be measured, and for emitting backscattered light returning to one end of the optical fiber to be measured; Based on the output of the polarization detecting means 15 and the polarization detecting means 15 for detecting the polarization state of the light emitted from the light circulating means 14 as a time series controlled by the control means 11, And an analysis means 16 for measuring the birefringence of the optical fiber 2 to be measured using the refraction measurement method.

  In the birefringence measuring apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the pulsed light emitted from the pulsed light generating means 12 controlled by the timing control means 11 enters the polarization converting means 13 and is converted into three different polarization states. Is emitted.

  The pulsed light emitted from the polarization converter 13 is incident on one end of the optical fiber 2 to be measured from the optical circulator 14, and the backscattered light returning to this one end is transmitted from the optical circulator 14 by the timing controller 11. The light is incident on the polarization analyzer 15 to be controlled, and the polarization state of the return light is detected as time series data.

  The measurement of the polarization state is a time series measurement of the intensity of the four polarization components of the horizontal polarization component, the vertical polarization component, the 45-degree linear polarization component and the clockwise circular polarization component included in the return light, and the Stokes parameter is calculated. There is a method of converting a completely polarized component into a Jones vector (see Non-Patent Document 2). By performing this in time series, the polarization state is detected in time series.

  The analyzing means 16 measures the reciprocating Jones matrix of the measured optical fiber 2 from the time series data of the polarization state of the return light with respect to the three different polarization states converted by the polarization conversion means 13. The method for calculating the Jones matrix from the output polarized light with respect to three different incident polarized lights is described in detail in Non-Patent Document 3, for example.

  Next, the configuration of the pulsed light generating means 12 used in the birefringence measuring apparatus 1 will be described. Since a general-purpose OTDR light source has a wide spectrum width of 5 nm to 20 nm, once passing through a point where the PMD is large, a phenomenon occurs in which the polarization state in the pulse varies depending on the wavelength, and the amplitude is averaged and reduced. There is a known problem that it becomes impossible to measure PMD thereafter (see Non-Patent Document 1). Therefore, it is desirable that the spectral width of the pulsed light emitted from the pulsed light generating means 12 is narrow.

  However, another problem arises as the spectral width of the pulsed light becomes narrower. As the spectral width becomes narrower, the coherence of the light source becomes higher, so backscattered light from different positions interfere and appear as large noise during OTDR measurement. This is called coherent noise.

  In order to remove the influence of coherent noise on the OTDR waveform, as shown in FIG. 3, a phase modulator 122 using an electro-optic effect, an acousto-optic effect, or the like is provided at the subsequent stage of the pulse light source 121 of the pulsed light generation means 12. Is effective to reduce the coherence by widening the spectrum width of the pulsed light source 121 to such an extent that the change in polarization state due to the change in wavelength can be ignored. Further, a wavelength filter is disposed after the pulse light source 121 having a wide spectrum width, and even if the spectrum width is narrowed to such an extent that the change in the polarization state due to the wavelength change can be ignored and coherence is not a problem, Similar effects can be obtained.

  The spectral width of the wavelength needs to be such that the change in the polarization state due to the change in wavelength at each point of the measured optical fiber 2 can be ignored, which is the size of the accumulated PMD up to each point of the measured optical fiber 2. However, it is difficult to determine uniquely, but the spectral width necessary for removing coherent noise is 0.1 nm, and it is not necessary to be wider.

  Next, another embodiment of the pulsed light generating means 12 used in the optical fiber birefringence measuring apparatus 1 of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, if the optical amplifier 123 is arranged inside the pulsed light generating means 12, the pulsed light is amplified, and thus it is possible to perform a longer distance measurement. In this case, since the optical amplifier 123 generates spontaneous emission light, the spontaneous emission suppression unit 124 is disposed at the subsequent stage of the optical amplifier 123 so that the spontaneous emission light during the time when no pulse is emitted is applied to the optical fiber 2 to be measured. It is preferable to make it the structure which does not enter. As the spontaneous emission light suppressing means, an optical modulator such as an acousto-optic device can be used.

  Next, the polarization conversion means 13 will be described. The polarization conversion means 13 used in the present invention needs to have a configuration capable of forming three different polarization states and grasping the formed polarization states. As shown in FIG. 5, when the phase difference plate 131 is used alone as the polarization conversion means, the output polarization state changes when the incident polarization state to the phase difference plate 131 changes. The linearly polarized light is emitted, and the optical path 17 to the polarization conversion means 13 is entirely composed of polarization-maintaining components (polarization-maintaining waveguides such as polarization-maintaining optical fibers). It is desirable to keep the state constant.

  Next, another polarization conversion means 13 of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, when a polarizer 132 is used as the polarization conversion unit 13, the emitted light from the polarization conversion unit 13 becomes linearly polarized light even if the incident polarization state to the polarization conversion unit 13 is unknown. Therefore, it is preferable that an arbitrary linearly polarized state can be created by changing the angle of the polarizer 132. In this case, if the angle of the polarizer 132 is changed, the output power from the polarizer 132 may decrease depending on the angle, and the SN ratio of OTDR measurement may decrease. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, another polarization conversion unit 18 is arranged in front of the polarization conversion unit 13, and the incident polarization state to the polarization conversion unit 13 is changed, so that the polarizer in the polarization conversion unit 13 is changed. It is more preferable that the output power can be adjusted.

  Next, still another polarization conversion means 13 of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, when the polarizer 133 and the configuration in which the retardation plate 134 is disposed at the subsequent stage are used as the polarization conversion unit 13, the polarizer can be used even if the incident polarization state to the polarization conversion unit 13 is unknown. The outgoing light from 133 becomes linearly polarized light, which is preferable because a polarization state is created by the phase difference plate 134. In this case, it is more preferable that the output power from the polarizer 133 can be adjusted by changing the angle of the polarizer 133 according to the incident polarization state to the polarization conversion means 13. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, another polarization conversion unit 18 is disposed in front of the polarization conversion unit 13, and the incident polarization state to the polarization conversion unit 13 is changed, so that the polarizer in the polarization conversion unit 13 can be changed. It is more preferable that the output power can be adjusted.

  Next, another embodiment of the birefringence measuring apparatus of the present invention will be described. In optical fibers, when the external perturbation such as bending or external force is applied, the polarization state of light passing therethrough fluctuates greatly. Therefore, when the polarizers 132 and 133 are used in the polarization conversion unit 13, if a perturbation is applied from the outside to the optical path connecting the pulsed light generation unit 12 and the polarization conversion unit 13 during measurement, the polarization conversion unit 13. The amount of light passing through the polarizers 132 and 133 in the inside changes, greatly affecting the measurement results. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the light branching means 19 and the light detecting means 20 are arranged at the subsequent stage of the polarization converting means 13, the change in the amount of light passing through the polarizers 132 and 133 is measured, and the presence or absence of the influence of the perturbation is determined. While monitoring, it is preferable to control the polarization conversion means 13 so that sufficient pulsed light intensity is always obtained.

  Next, still another embodiment of the birefringence measuring apparatus of the present invention will be described. When the same perturbation is applied to the optical fiber 2 to be measured during measurement, the Jones matrix of the optical fiber changes and affects the measurement result. Therefore, a method of monitoring whether or not a perturbation is applied to the optical fiber 2 to be measured during the measurement by performing the measurement with the same incident polarization twice or more and comparing them is effective. Specifically, by incorporating the above-described measurement program into the analysis means 16 and performing the measurement with the same incident polarization twice or more and comparing, it is determined whether or not a perturbation has been applied to the measured optical fiber 2 during the measurement. It can be configured to display. Note that it is not always necessary to perform measurement for all three incident polarized lights twice or more, and it is usually sufficient to perform measurements twice in the same incident polarization state at the beginning and at the end and compare the measurement results.

  Next, the PMD measuring method according to the present invention will be described. The PMD measurement method of the present invention is characterized in that the PMD of the measured optical fiber 2 is obtained based on the birefringence of the measured optical fiber 2 measured using the birefringence measurement method according to the present invention described above. Yes.

  As described above, PMD is determined by two factors, local birefringence and polarization mode coupling. Therefore, when the polarization mode coupling is considered to be almost constant, or when there is a certain relationship between the local birefringence magnitude and the polarization mode coupling, the local birefringence The mode coupling value can be measured, and thus the PMD value can be measured.

  In general, an optical fiber placed in a free state has less polarization mode coupling as the birefringence is larger, and more polarization mode coupling as the birefringence is smaller. The PMD can be measured from the magnitude of birefringence by experimentally obtaining the relationship in advance. This method is particularly effective when measuring PMD of a short optical fiber in which the PMD in a free state is relatively small.

  Actually, an optical fiber having a total length of 3000 m was placed in a free state, and birefringence at a wavelength of 1.55 μm was measured using the measuring apparatus of the present invention. Then, PMD in a wavelength 1.55 micrometer band in the free state of this optical fiber was measured, and the result of the comparison is shown in FIG. The PMD measurement result in FIG. 13 is obtained by measuring the PMD in a state where the optical fiber is free 10 times by changing the installation state of the optical fiber for each measurement, and averaging the results.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram comparing the results of taking out one measurement out of 10 times and the average of 10 measurements in PMD measurement in a state where the optical fiber is free. From the statistical properties of PMD, the average value of 10 measurements is considered to be closer to the true value. However, comparing FIG. 13 and FIG. The result compared with the birefringence measured by the method of the invention clearly shows a better correlation. Therefore, it can be seen that PMD can be accurately measured by the method of the present invention.

  Further, according to Non-Patent Document 4, when the PMD measurement accuracy is expressed by the standard deviation σ from the true value, σ is inversely proportional to the 1/2 power of the total PMD. Further, since the total PMD is proportional to the 1/2 power of the length of the optical fiber, σ is inversely proportional to the 1/4 power of the length of the optical fiber. Therefore, although a 3000 m optical fiber is used in this embodiment, it is about 1.6 times when a 1000 m optical fiber is used, about 1.8 times when it is 300 m, and about 2.3 when it is 100 m. Doubles. Therefore, when the same measurement is performed using an optical fiber shorter than that of the example, the correlation shown in FIG. 14 is considered to be a weaker correlation. On the other hand, since the birefringence is not a statistical quantity, the measurement accuracy is not affected by the length of the optical fiber to be measured. Thus, the method of the present invention is a particularly effective method when measuring PMD of a short optical fiber having a relatively small PMD, as compared with the conventional method of directly measuring PMD.

  Next, another PMD measuring method of the present invention will be described. As described above, the PMD of the optical fiber wound around the bobbin does not match the PMD when placed in a free state. However, if the birefringence due to external force applied from the outside is smaller than the internal birefringence or the twist applied to the optical fiber is small, the birefringence of the optical fiber in both states is small. Refraction is almost the same. In such a case, there is a relationship between the birefringence of the optical fiber wound around the bobbin and the birefringence of the optical fiber placed in a free state. The PMD of the optical fiber placed in the state can be measured.

  In addition, when twisting or lateral pressure is applied after the optical fiber is solidified, the measured birefringence by the method of the present invention is affected, and the birefringence of the optical fiber placed in a free state is affected. However, in the case where all optical fibers are wound through the same process, that is, in a general manufacturing process, their influence is almost constant. Thus, if these effects can be considered constant, there is a relationship between the measured value of birefringence by the method of the present invention when wound on a bobbin and the value of birefringence of an optical fiber placed in a free state. Exists. Therefore, the PMD of the optical fiber placed in a free state can be measured by measuring the birefringence of the optical fiber wound around the bobbin.

  Next, the twist applied to the optical fiber measured in the state of being wound around the bobbin will be described. In the birefringence measuring method of the present invention, it is assumed that the minute interval (z, z + Δz) has only linear birefringence and the direction of the birefringence axis is also constant. Since the optical fiber in a free state or the optical fiber in the optical cable has a small amount of twist, there is no problem with this assumption. However, an optical fiber wound on a bobbin may have a large twist applied to the optical fiber due to winding, which may affect the birefringence value measured by the method of the present invention. . The influence was calculated by numerical calculation, and the application range of the method of the present invention was investigated.

In the calculation, the minute interval Δz is set to 1 m, which is a general OTDR resolution. The Jones matrix of the minute section was calculated by further dividing the minute section into 0.001 m sections and rotating the birefringence axes of the adjacent sections by the amount of twist. The Jones matrix of the 0.001 m section was calculated by multiplying the Jones matrix representing the effect of only the optical rotation in the section and the Jones matrix representing the effect of only the linear birefringence in the section. Waveguide dispersion and material dispersion of the optical fiber were not considered, and the light guided in the optical fiber was approximated as a plane wave. The magnitude of birefringence Δn before torsion was 1.55 × 10 ⁻⁷ , the optical rotation α was 0.07, and the wavelength was 1.55 μm. These are all typical values of optical fibers and wavelengths that are currently commonly used in optical communications.

  FIG. 10 shows how the amount of birefringence measured by the method of the present invention changes with various amounts of twist. From FIG. 10, if the amount of twist applied to the optical fiber is 1 rad / m, the magnitude of the birefringence measured by the method of the present invention is about 10% different from the magnitude of the birefringence without twist. Match. However, when the amount of twist is 2 rad / m, the difference is about 40%. Therefore, the amount of twist applied to the optical fiber measured by the method of the present invention is preferably 1 rad / m or less.

  Further, in recent years, in order to reduce PMD of an optical fiber, a method of reducing effective birefringence by changing the axial direction of birefringence by adding twist before the glass is hardened when drawing the optical fiber. May be used. The effective birefringence magnitude Δn ′ in the minute section can be obtained from the phase difference φ generated between the two orthogonal intrinsic polarizations inherent in the minute section, and the Jones matrix in the minute section is expressed by the following equation (14).

And the following equations (15) and (16)

Can be obtained.

  Also in this case, since the direction of the birefringence axis is not constant in the minute interval Δz, the birefringence value measured by the method of the present invention may be affected. The influence was calculated by numerical calculation, and the application range of the method of the present invention was investigated. The calculation conditions are the same.

  First, in the case where a twist in a certain direction is applied before fixing the optical fiber, the amount of twist applied is changed variously, and the magnitude of the effective birefringence in the section Δz and the method of the present invention are measured. FIG. 11 shows how much difference occurs in the magnitude of birefringence.

  FIG. 12 shows the result of the same calculation performed when a sinusoidal twist is applied before the optical fiber is solidified. The sinusoidal torsion is defined by the following equation (17) between the twist angle θ at the point of the distance z, the spin amplitude A, and the spin period P.

This is a method of adding torsion so that the relationship is established.

  11 and 12, the birefringence magnitude measured by the method of the present invention is the case where a twist in a certain direction is applied before the optical fiber is solidified or a sinusoidal twist is applied before the optical fiber is solidified. It can be seen that this is in good agreement with the magnitude of the effective birefringence. Therefore, when effective birefringence is reduced by adding twist before optical fiber solidification, birefringence can be accurately measured by the method of the present invention.

  Next, another PMD measurement method according to the present invention will be described. If the influence of external force applied to the optical fiber to be measured from the bobbin is small, the PMD of the optical fiber placed in a free state can be measured by the method of the present invention, but the winding tension on the bobbin is high. There is a case where it is difficult to reduce the influence of birefringence applied by an external force over the entire length of the optical fiber to be measured. FIG. 15 shows the result of measuring the beat length of the optical fiber wound around the bobbin in the longitudinal direction from the outermost periphery. From FIG. 15, it can be seen that the inner periphery has a larger birefringence in the state of being wound around the bobbin.

  On the other hand, the birefringence of the optical fiber is often caused by the base material of the optical fiber. If the base material is the same, the magnitude of the birefringence is often almost the same. In such a case, a portion where the influence of the birefringence applied by the external force is small, usually the birefringence near the outermost periphery of the wound optical fiber is measured, and as a representative value of the birefringence of the optical fiber to be measured, The PMD of an optical fiber placed in a free state can be measured.

  Actually, the birefringence of the section 500m from the outermost circumference was measured while being wound around the bobbin, and then the PMD was measured with the entire optical fiber wound around the bobbin being in a free state, and the two were compared. Is FIG. From FIG. 16, by measuring the birefringence of the outermost peripheral portion in the state wound around the bobbin, it is possible to obtain a representative value of PMD when the entire optical fiber wound around the bobbin is in a free state. I understand.

  Next, the form of the bobbin suitable for use in the method of the present invention will be described. If the influence of external force applied to the optical fiber to be measured from the bobbin is small, when measuring the PMD of the optical fiber placed in a free state using the above method, the measurement is performed over a longer distance from the outermost periphery. It can be carried out. For that purpose, a method of reducing the influence of an external force applied to the optical fiber to be measured by placing a buffer material at a position where the bobbin and the optical fiber to be measured contact is preferable. Also, one factor of perturbation applied to the optical fiber under measurement during measurement is that the bobbin that winds up the optical fiber expands or contracts due to temperature changes, and perturbation occurs due to changes in the lateral pressure applied to the fiber. Even if expansion and contraction occur in the bobbin by the material, it is preferable because perturbation to the optical fiber to be measured can be prevented.

  Further, the bobbin is configured such that the tension on the optical fiber to be measured can be temporarily removed, and during the measurement, the tension on the optical fiber is temporarily removed, and then the PMD is performed by the method of the present invention. A measurement method in which the tension is returned to the original state after measuring is preferable. This method is particularly effective when the winding tension around the bobbin is high and the birefringence resulting from winding around the bobbin is large.

  Next, a method for measuring the birefringence and PMD of the optical fiber in the longitudinal direction will be described. Since the birefringence at each point in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber can be obtained by using the method of the present invention, PMD can be measured in the longitudinal direction using the above-described relationship between birefringence and PMD.

  FIG. 17 shows the measurement of birefringence in the longitudinal direction according to the method of the present invention in a state where an optical fiber having a total length of 5000 m, which has been melt-drawn so as to partially deteriorate the roundness of the optical fiber, is wound around a bobbin. It is divided into two at a point of 2500 m and compared with the result of PMD measurement in a free state. From FIG. 17, it can be seen that the PMD in a free state can be measured in the longitudinal direction even when wound on a bobbin by using the method of the present invention.

  In addition, a buffer material is arranged at a location where the bobbin and the optical fiber to be measured are in contact with each other, or the tension of the bobbin to the optical fiber to be measured can be temporarily removed. If PMD is measured in the longitudinal direction by the method of the present invention after removing the tension on the PMD, it is preferable because fluctuations in the longitudinal direction of PMD can be detected with very high accuracy.

  FIG. 18 shows an example of a bobbin having a structure in which an optical fiber having a total length of 3000 m, which is melt-drawn so as to partially deteriorate the roundness of the optical fiber, can temporarily remove the tension on the optical fiber to be measured. After winding up, the tension was temporarily removed, and the birefringence was measured in the longitudinal direction by the method of the present invention, and then divided into two at a point of 1500 m, and PMD was measured in a free state. It is FIG. 18 compared. From FIG. 18, it can be seen that even if the PMD change in the longitudinal direction is very small, it is possible to use the method of the present invention.

  The present invention provides an optical fiber characterized in that the PMD measured by the above-described PMD measuring method according to the present invention is 0.1 ps / √km or less. Examples of the optical fiber of the present invention include, but are not limited to, a single mode optical fiber made of quartz glass (hereinafter referred to as SM fiber), a polarization maintaining optical fiber, and the like.

  The optical fiber of the present invention can be provided in a state of being wound around a bobbin, and it is preferable that the amount of twist being applied in the state of being wound around the bobbin is 1 rad / m or less. If this twist amount is 1 rad / m or less, the birefringence measured in the state of being wound around the bobbin matches the magnitude of the birefringence when there is no twist with a difference of about 10%. Can measure the birefringence of the optical fiber. On the other hand, if the amount of twist exceeds 1 rad / m and the amount of twist differs for each optical fiber, the relationship between the measured birefringence and the PMD of the optical fiber placed in a free state is weakened. , Accurate PMD cannot be measured.

  In the optical fiber of the present invention, it is preferable that the value of PMD measured using the above-described PMD measuring method of the present invention or the upper limit value thereof is displayed on either the optical fiber itself or a bobbin wound with the optical fiber. . The display content is preferably “PMD 0.01 to 0.05 ps / √km”, “PMD 0.1 ps / √km or less”, and the like. The display method may be a method such as attaching a label on which the display content is printed, or attaching a tag with a display. Moreover, the PMD value or the upper limit value may be printed on a manual describing the performance list of the optical fiber, and bundled with the optical fiber wound with a bobbin and packaged.

  Optical fibers of various lengths were wound around a bobbin having a diameter of 300 mm with a tension of 40 g, and the birefringence was measured in a section 1300 m from the outermost periphery while being wound around the bobbin. Then, after making 1300m into a free state, both birefringence and PMD were measured 10 times each. For each measurement, the optical fiber was vibrated (as described in IEC 60793-1-48, Annex E).

  FIG. 19 shows a result of comparison between birefringence in a state of being wound around a bobbin and PMD of an optical fiber placed in a free state. In FIG. 19, the PMD measurement result is an average of 10 measurements. From FIG. 19, it is possible to measure the PMD of an optical fiber placed in a free state by measuring the birefringence while being wound around a bobbin.

  FIG. 20 shows the result of comparing the birefringence of the optical fiber placed in a free state and the PMD of the optical fiber placed in a free state. The points in FIG. 20 are average values of 10 measurement results of each measurement, and error bars are standard deviations. As shown in FIG. 20, the PMD of the optical fiber placed in a free state can be measured by measuring the birefringence in a free state. It can also be seen that the standard deviation of birefringence measurement is very small compared to the standard deviation of PMD measurement. Therefore, it can also be seen that the PMD measurement method of the present invention has very high measurement reproducibility.

  FIG. 21 shows the result of comparing the birefringence of the optical fiber placed in a free state with the birefringence in the state of being wound around the bobbin. From FIG. 21, it can be seen that the state of birefringence is not different from that in a free state even when wound on a bobbin, and this method is suitable for measurement of an optical fiber wound on a bobbin. I understand that. The measured value of birefringence is the same in the bobbin-wound state and the free state because it is wound around the bobbin, and twisting does not occur, and the influence of birefringence caused by the bobbin bending diameter and side pressure is sufficient. Small.

It is the schematic for demonstrating the measurement area in the birefringence measuring method of the optical fiber which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the birefringence measuring apparatus of the optical fiber which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the pulse light generation means of the birefringence measuring apparatus of the optical fiber which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows another example of the pulse light generation means of the birefringence measuring apparatus of the optical fiber which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the polarization conversion means of the birefringence measuring apparatus of the optical fiber which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows another example of the polarization conversion means of the birefringence measuring device of the optical fiber which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows another example of the polarization conversion means of the birefringence measuring device of the optical fiber which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows another example of the polarization conversion means of the birefringence measuring device of the optical fiber which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows other embodiment of the birefringence measuring apparatus of the optical fiber which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which illustrates birefringence measured by the measuring method of this invention when a one-way twist is added after optical fiber solidification. It is a figure which illustrates the birefringence measured by the actual birefringence when the unidirectional twist is added before optical fiber solidification, and the measuring method of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the actual birefringence and the birefringence measured by the measuring method of this invention when sinusoidal twist is added before optical fiber solidification. It is a figure which shows the comparison with the birefringence measured by the method of this invention, and the measurement result which measured PMD 10 times by the conventional method. It is a figure which shows the comparison with the measurement result which measured PMD once by the conventional method, and the measurement result which measured PMD ten times by the conventional method. It is a figure which shows the example which measured the birefringence of the optical fiber wound around the bobbin in the longitudinal direction. It is a figure which shows the example which measured the birefringence of the optical fiber wound around the bobbin in the longitudinal direction. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the birefringence of the longitudinal direction measured in the state which wound the optical fiber around the bobbin, and PMD when this optical fiber is divided into two in the center and set | placed in the free state. The optical fiber is wound around a bobbin having a structure in which the tension can be temporarily relaxed, and the birefringence in the longitudinal direction measured with the tension relaxed, and the PMD when the optical fiber is divided into two at the center and placed in a free state It is a figure which shows the relationship. It is a graph which shows the result of having compared the birefringence in the state wound around the bobbin, and PMD of the optical fiber put in the free state. It is a graph which shows the result of having compared the birefringence of the optical fiber put into the free state, and PMD of the optical fiber put into the free state. It is a graph which shows the result of having compared the birefringence in the state wound by the bobbin, and the birefringence of the optical fiber put in the free state.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Birefringence measuring apparatus, 2 ... Optical fiber to be measured, 11 ... Timing control means, 12 ... Pulse light generation means, 13 ... Polarization conversion means, 14 ... Optical circulation means, 15 ... Polarization analysis means, 16 ... Analysis means, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 17 ... Optical path, 18 ... Polarization conversion means, 19 ... Light branching means, 20 ... Light detection means, 121 ... Pulse light source, 122 ... Phase modulator, 123 ... Optical amplifier, 124 ... Spontaneous emission light suppression means, 131 ... Phase difference Plate: 132... Polarizer, 133... Polarizer, 134.

Claims (14)

A reciprocating Jones matrix R (z) in the first section (0, z) from the measurement starting point 0 to the predetermined position z in the optical fiber to be measured, and a first z from the measurement starting point 0 to a position z + Δz different from the position z. 2, a reciprocal Jones matrix R (z + Δz) in the interval (0, z + Δz) is obtained, eigenvalues ρ ₁ and ρ ₂ of the matrix R (z + Δz) R (z) ⁻¹ are obtained, and the following equations (1), (2 )

(In the formula, φ represents a phase difference between orthogonally polarized light due to birefringence, Δn represents birefringence, and λ represents a wavelength.)
A birefringence measurement method for an optical fiber characterized in that birefringence in a minute section Δz from the position z to the position z + Δz is obtained by the above calculation.   2. The optical fiber birefringence measuring method according to claim 1, wherein a polarization OTDR is used to obtain a reciprocating Jones matrix of the optical fiber to be measured.   At least timing control means, pulsed light generation means controlled by the timing control means, polarization conversion means for converting the polarization state of the pulsed light from the pulsed light generation means, and pulsed light from the polarization conversion means The light circulating means that is incident on one end of the measurement optical fiber and emits backscattered light that has returned to one end of the optical fiber to be measured, and the light output from the light circulating means that is controlled by the timing control means Polarization detection means for detecting the polarization state in time series, and analysis means for measuring the birefringence of the optical fiber under measurement using the birefringence measurement method according to claim 1 or 2 based on the output of the polarization detection means An apparatus for measuring birefringence of an optical fiber, comprising:   The birefringence of the optical fiber under measurement measured using the optical fiber birefringence measurement method according to claim 1 and the polarization mode dispersion of the optical fiber under measurement in a free state. A method for measuring polarization mode dispersion of an optical fiber, comprising measuring the polarization mode dispersion of the optical fiber under measurement in a free state using the relationship.   A part of the optical fiber wound around the bobbin is taken out, and its polarization mode dispersion is measured using the method for measuring polarization mode dispersion of an optical fiber according to claim 4, and then the measured value is wound around the bobbin. A method for measuring polarization mode dispersion of an optical fiber, characterized in that polarization mode dispersion is obtained when the entire optical fiber is placed in a free state.   The birefringence of the optical fiber to be measured in a free state measured using the method for measuring the birefringence of an optical fiber according to claim 1 or 2, and the polarization mode dispersion of the optical fiber to be measured in a free state A method for measuring polarization mode dispersion of an optical fiber, comprising measuring the polarization mode dispersion of an optical fiber under measurement in a free state while being wound around a bobbin using the relationship.   The birefringence of the optical fiber to be measured in a state of being wound around a bobbin and the polarization of the optical fiber to be measured in a free state, measured using the method for measuring the birefringence of an optical fiber according to claim 1 or 2. A method for measuring polarization mode dispersion of an optical fiber, comprising: measuring polarization mode dispersion of an optical fiber under measurement in a free state while being wound around a bobbin using a relationship with mode dispersion.   The method for measuring polarization mode dispersion of an optical fiber according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the amount of twist applied to the optical fiber under measurement is 1 rad / m or less while being wound around the bobbin.   Measure the birefringence of the portion where the influence of the winding tension on the bobbin and the side pressure of the wound optical fiber itself is small, and measure the entire optical fiber wound around the bobbin as a representative value of the birefringence of the measured optical fiber. 9. The method of measuring polarization mode dispersion of an optical fiber according to claim 6, wherein the polarization mode dispersion of the optical fiber is set in a free state.   A buffer material is placed at the point where the optical fiber comes into contact with the bobbin that winds up the optical fiber to be measured, and the lateral pressure on the optical fiber is reduced. 10. The method for measuring polarization mode dispersion of an optical fiber according to claim 6, wherein the influence is removed.   After temporarily relaxing the tension on the optical fiber, measure the birefringence of the measured optical fiber while it is wound around the bobbin, and measure the polarization mode dispersion of the optical fiber in a free state The method for measuring polarization mode dispersion of an optical fiber according to any one of claims 6 to 10.   An optical fiber, wherein the polarization mode dispersion measured by the method for measuring polarization mode dispersion of an optical fiber according to any one of claims 4 to 11 is 0.1 ps / √km or less.   The optical fiber according to claim 12, wherein the amount of twist applied is 1 rad / m or less while being wound around the bobbin. 14. The optical fiber according to claim 12, wherein the measured polarization mode dispersion value or the upper limit value thereof is displayed.

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